Kernel.org Attackers Didn't Know What They Had 183
Trailrunner7 writes "The attack that compromised some high-value servers belonging to kernel.org — but not the Linux kernel source code — may have been the work of hackers who simply got lucky and didn't realize the value of the servers that they had gotten their hands on. The attackers made a couple of mistakes that enabled the administrators at kernel.org to discover the breach and stop it before any major damage occurred. First, they used a known Linux rootkit called Phalanx that the admins were able to detect. And second, the attackers set up SSH backdoors on the compromised servers, which the admins also discovered. Had the hackers been specifically targeting the kernel.org servers, the attack probably would've looked quite different."
A few blog posts in the wake of the attack have agreed with the initial announcement; while it was embarrassing, the integrity of the kernel source is not in question.
Nonsense! (Score:5, Funny)
They must have gotten their hands on the kernel source code, I found it posted online!
Re:Spin (Score:3, Funny)
Indeed: http://blackhats.com/infosuck/0x007c.png [blackhats.com]
Re:The motive doesn't matter. It's time for action (Score:5, Funny)
I'd recommend Windows instead of OpenBSD. Sure Windows has had its problems in the past but now with Windows 7 and Norton it's practically impossible to hack my systems. Even the Lunix box I run feels safer when the Windows computer is on the network. I imagine it's the firewall in Windows 7 reaching out in to the network to protect all the computers in my office.
I've been supporting Lunix and Windows at the enterprise level for many years now. I think its finally time to move away from Lunix. Linus really needs to ask himself where he wants this to go? The kernal is hacked up, probably with viruses hidden in there (we can't be sure). Sorry, I have to say bye bye to Lunix.
Re:The motive doesn't matter. It's time for action (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Or maybe (Score:5, Funny)
They didnt want to harm the kernel.
Possibly out of respect for the 11 Secret Herbs and Spices?